5 Tips to a Better You

This year, I’m taking the time to make myself a healthier person. I mean this, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually too. I’ve been unhealthy for far too long and I’m trying to get back on the right track. So, that’s why my theme this year is #healthymindbodysoul and I want to share my journey with you!

One evening in early January, as I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep, I was thinking about advice that I’d give someone on living a healthier lifestyle – with the intention to take the advice for myself.

The ideas started churning and my 5 Tips series was created. I’ve decided that the first in the series would be this post: 5 Tips to a better you.

I’ve put together an infographic for easy pinning, and I’ve also included the youtube video at the bottom of this post. But for now, let’s hop right in.

1//Clean Up
This does not mean have a spic and span house – it means clean up after yourself. The more tidy of a home you have the more tidy of a headspace you’ll have too. I don’t know about you, but if I’m not comfortable in my home, it makes me uncomfortable in my skin. I can’t seem to relax or feel at ease in a space that doesn’t feel comfortable. For example, our living room is an odd shape and for the past year and half, I’ve hated the configuration. I never felt comfortable in my own home – to the point where I was already looking for different houses that we could potentially move in to.

However, once I finally found a living room set up that I liked (see my post about that here), my mind was more at ease and I was able to relax. The same principle applies to cleaning up. If you have dishes in the sink, they’ll always be there at the back of your head nagging you. You’ll always know you still have something to do and won’t be fully able to relax. I like to wash our dinner dishes right after we eat and then, at the end of the night, wash whatever stragglers are left over. The whole process takes me less than 10 minutes total (and if you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, it will take you even less!). On this same premise, wipe down counters, put food away, prep your lunch for tomorrow. Get your clothes put away right after laundry is done, instead of moving it back and forth from the dresser to the bed (guilty). Once you get in the routine of doing this, you’ll see just how much better you feel and how cleansing it is to not have daily chores nagging you.

2//Get Up Early
This one can be especially difficult if you are not a morning person, but in the end will be so worth it. It took me years to get to the point where I could get up early and not have to take a nap in the middle of the day. And do you know what? I like to get up early now. Beating the rush means you have time to yourself for yourself. You can have your morning coffee while reading a book or the paper. You can work out, or do yoga. Meditate or self-reflect. Write in your journal, get your planner out and check your day. Heck, you can even check your emails if that’s what floats your boat. The point is, take the time for you.

I can’t tell you how much it helps to not be rushed in the mornings. The stress levels go down immensely which gives me a better attitude toward my day. Think about how much calmer you are on the weekend, when you don’t have to be somewhere at a certain time. Now, think if you had your weekend morning routine on a week day, how much better your day will be.

3//Write it Down
We live in a technology era where everything is done through email, computer and cell phones. We read books on our tablets and interact with our family and friends on Facebook. Yes, technology is great, but there’s something about pen and paper that just make sense. In case you didn’t know, putting pen to paper commits whatever it is that you are writing to memory. That’s why your teachers used to make you take notes in school. {Insert AHA moment here} So, why not write down your lists, hopes, dreams, plans all on paper? The action of writing will make your ideas feel more real, and will free up space in that noggin of yours, relieving stress/pressure at the same time.

If you don’t want to write, then doodle or draw or sketch – but do something that involves the mechanics of writing. I guarantee you will feel better, not only for getting things of your chest, but because it forces you to be in the moment – concentrating on the task at hand.

4//Simplify
I cannot stress this enough. In this day and age, we learn quickly that having more things is better. More devices, more clothes, more EVERYTHING. It’s crazy how stuff can take over your life. I once looked around and thought to myself, I don’t need these things. Heck, I have a whole basement full of things that I don’t need. And yet, it’s all there. Waiting for me to toss it out. And you betcha I will (it may take me a year, but I’ll do it!).

Maybe you don’t have a lot of things. Good for you. But maybe you overcomplicate in other ways. Maybe your always saying yes to people (again, guilty) even though you really, really want to say no. Don’t be afraid to say no when you need to. If it’s going cause you more trouble than it’s worth, then by all means, just say no.

Another great example of overcomplicating for no reason: For the last two years, I’ve purchase the Erin Condren Weekly Planner in vertical. And, for the past two years, I stressed about having too much space in my planner, not writing something on every single day. I needed stickers and washi and something to do every day or I was failing at life. Guess what? This year, I bought the monthly planner so that I could keep track of appointments and such and I am much happier. No more pressure to fill in every day, no more pressure to make it pretty. It is what it is and it works for me.

5//Rest
I’m not going to lie, this one is tough for me. I feel like I’m “being lazy” if I take a day to just rest. But, I have to remind myself that it’s okay. I have diabetes and sometimes I just need to chill for the day. Your body can’t go, go, go all the time or eventually you will run out of energy. You’ll burn out your “engine” and that’s difficult to come back from.

Go to sleep earlier than you usually do (and if you are getting up earlier, this will be much easier). Turn off your electronics at bed time. Set a do not disturb on your phone. Disconnect from technology and just reflect on your day, breathe and know that tomorrow is a new day with new experiences and new memories to make.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to head over to my Facebook page and leave me a comment with any thoughts or feelings about this post. I’d love to hear from you!